Garden PlannerEvidence-aware. Garden with confidence.
Entire healthy mature chives plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 30–40 cm tall, 20–30 cm wide at maturity.

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum L.

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Season
Perennial hardy perennial
Best grown in
Portland, Oregon

A clumping perennial herb that returns each spring; its purple flowers are visited by bees and the clump divides easily.

Safety: Toxic to dogs and cats in quantity.

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Life cycle & growth stages

  1. 1. Seed or divisionSow indoors or divide an existing clump.
  2. 2. SeedlingSlow, grass-like; patience.
  3. 3. ClumpThickens over the first season.
  4. 4. FloweringPurple flower heads in late spring attract bees.
  5. 5. HarvestCut leaves repeatedly all season.
  6. 6. DormancyDies back in winter; returns in spring.

Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.

Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; transplant 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after last frost; direct sow 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after last frost; 60–90 days to maturity from sowing. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.

ChivesAllium schoenoprasum
PlantStart indoorsDirect sowAutumn sowTransplantTendHarvest
ChivesFeb 8–Feb 22 (estimate)Mar 22–Apr 19 (estimate)—Mar 22–Apr 19 (estimate)Apr 19–May 21 (estimate)May 21–Dec 5 (estimate)
  • Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22
  • Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 19
  • Direct sow: Mar 22 – Apr 19
  • Tend and monitor: Apr 19 – May 21
  • Harvest: May 21 – Dec 5

Spacing & support

In-row 20–30 cm; rows 30–30 cm. Planner footprint: 1 cell of 30 cm.

Side-profile diagram of mature chives: canopy 30–40 cm tall, 20–30 cm wide, shallow root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.

Soil & water

Soil
Any well-drained soil
pH
6–7
Fertility
moderate
Water
Moderate; tolerates short dry spells.
Frost
very hardy; tolerates frost

Support & training

No support structure needed.

Chives mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Harvest signs

  • Leaves 15 cm or longer
  • Cut 2 cm above the soil; regrows in weeks
Chives at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: leaves 15 cm or longer; cut 2 cm above the soil; regrows in weeks.

Common problems

Pests: thrips, onion fly (rare)

Diseases: rust

Appearance alone is not a diagnosis; confirm with a regional extension guide.

Side-by-side: healthy chives leaf or fruit and an example of rust.

Container growing

  • Minimum 3 L (15 cm deep)
  • Use quality potting mix and water more frequently
Mature chives in a correctly sized container (3 L or more) with drainage visible.

Companion overview

2 reviewed relationship records (evidence: low).

Supported or conditional

None reviewed

Avoid or separate

None with evidence

Traditional claims only: Carrot, Strawberry.

Full companion profile

Crop rotation

Avoid planting chives or other onion family crops in the same spot for 1 year. Rotation is about previous seasons, not about live neighbours.

Year 1Year 2Year 3AmaryllidaceaeOther familyOther familyback after 1+ years

Shared risks in Amaryllidaceae: onion white rot, downy mildew, onion fly.

Crop rotation hub

Sources, reviewer & update

Sources

Reviewer: Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review)

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 · version 1

Found an error or have feedback? Let us know.

Growing chives

Chives are among the first herbs up in spring and crop until frost. Cut leaves 2 cm above the soil and the clump regrows; divide clumps every three years. The pom-pom flowers are edible and visited by bees and hoverflies, though that does not make chives a proven pest deterrent for neighbours.

Chives seed beside a ruler or coin for scale.
Chives seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
Chives mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Chives need little: moderate water, sun or part shade, and a 20 cm pot is enough. Left to seed they spread modestly.

Two or more mature chives plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (20–30 cm).
Chives flower detail or bolting stage.
Immature leaves of chives developing on the plant.

Edible parts and safety

Edible: leaves, flowers. Toxic to dogs and cats in quantity.

Hands or tool harvesting chives correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.

Pests and diseases

Common pests: thrips, onion fly (rare). Common diseases: rust. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.

thrips on chives, with a wider damage-context view.

Timeline

Season timeline for chives: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Start seeds indoors Feb 8–Feb 22; Transplant outdoors Mar 22–Apr 19; Direct sow Mar 22–Apr 19; Tend and monitor Apr 19–May 21; Harvest May 21–Dec 5.

Related plants

See also: Amaryllidaceae family page · crop rotation · regional calendar · guides

Our Methodology & Sources

We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.

Evidence tiers

Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified

Primary source types

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • University extension publications
  • Government & research institute reports
  • Systematic reviews & meta-analyses

Last updated

August 24, 2026

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